Drake is currently overseas preparing to perform his final Club Paradise show in the U.K. Wednesday (April 25). Once he wraps his set, the Toronto native has exactly 12 days until the second leg of his U.S. tour begins, where buzzing rappers like J. Cole, 2 Chainz, French Montana, Waka Flocka Flame and Meek Mill join the bill. Drake spoke to The BoomBox via conference call about the new show and the surprises he has in store for fans, which includes an “ever-evolving” stage that changes with each act and performing a new song with 2 Chainz.

Before speaking on the upcoming tour dates, the Take Care MC took a moment to reflect on the performances he’s accomplished to-date.

“Club Paradise has been something that I’ve crafted, it’s like a meeting place for fans of the music that I’ve put out to really see the songs come alive,” Drake shares. “We started with a college run with two very exciting artists, A$AP Rocky and Kendrick Lamar, and Chase N. Cashe from L.A., who opened up first. That was the best tour I had been on. We came over to Europe and we did U.K. and a Scandinavian run, which was essentially bringing that same college show minus A$AP and Kendrick because their buzz is growing so big that they had other obligations like Coachella.

I partnered up with Labryinth, who is an incredible artist, Tinie Tempah and Rita Ora and they would alternate as far as opening acts,” he continues. “Tomorrow is my last show in [U.K.] and I would definitely say it has been as successful, if not more successful, than the first run just as far as solidifying a brand.”

May 7 marks both his return to the U.S. stage for the Club Paradise tour and the days leading up to summer. “This summer run was really the one where I said to myself, ‘OK, it’s been awhile since there’s been a tour where you can come and see pretty much anybody that has like one of your favorite songs… or the songs you listen to on the way to the club or in the club. [I want to] give people a stunning show from top to bottom. That’s what this Club Paradise tour is,” Drake describes.

One of the highly anticipated entertainers joining the 27 dates is rising rapper 2 Chainz. “I think he’s gonna conquer on this tour,” Drake admits. “I know that some of [the performers] are at very early stages in their career as far as being exposed to the world and getting bigger. Guys like French and guys like Meek, who are really exciting to people, and they’re building their fanbases. And then you’ve got guys like Waka, Cole and myself, who have been in this position for awhile but definitely know how to get up on that stage and give the people what they want.”

The Young Money artist also details one of the surprising elements of the show: a stage that constantly changes shape. “One thing I made sure is, I don’t want it to feel like a bunch of opening acts and a headliner,” Drake states. “With the stage, with every act that comes out, something about the stage changes. So when French, who’s the first performer, starts, the stage will look one way, and then Meek will come out and it’ll look different… it’s an ever-evolving stage to get to the headlining act, which is myself. It’s going to keep people’s attention.”

While many hip-hop shows begin late-night, Drake promises to give fans a set that is more of a “festival” experience. “On this tour, I encourage people to get there early because it’s more of a festival vibe if anything,” the “HYFR” rapper discloses. “It’s outdoors, it’s summertime. If you’re coming to see the Club Paradise tour, it should be a day. You go, you eat lunch, you make sure you’re well-fed. You start drinking early and you start having fun early and you come see your favorite acts. We’ll go all the way from 6PM to 11PM together. That’s what’s different about it. It’s a longer experience to me. Especially for summertime.”

A look at Drake’s musical catalog proves his songs are the perfect soundtrack to summertime. He expects to release new music, which will sit on 2 Chainz’ upcoming album, days before the Club Paradise tour commences.

“I know a lot of these guys very well,” he says. “Not only am I fans of their music, I have very strong alliances with these guys that are on this tour with me. I guess it’s safe to say now, anybody I didn’t have a song with before, I have a song with now. I made sure of that. Along with this tour, fans are also going to get some exciting new musical material that will probably end up dropping a few days before the tour so that we can perform it on tour.

Maybe the last few nights it’s a collaboration show,” he continues. “Maybe we do all our songs onstage together… Making exciting moments for people. You’re looking forward to the moment where me and French do ‘Stay Schemin,’ or me and Meek do our song together that we have, or me and 2 Chainz do the record that he’s about to drop, his first single for his album. It’s summertime, it’s the time for new music. Everybody knows that when I wage assault it’s always during summertime. That’s when my guns are out fully blazing.”

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